ODM leaders during the ODM Youth Convention in Busia County on June 28, 2026 / HANDOUT
Top ODM leaders have thrown their weight behind President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid while intensifying calls for the Orange party to secure the deputy president's position if the broad-based political arrangement is formalised.
The leaders, speaking during the ODM Youth Convention in Busia County, argued that the party's support for Ruto should be matched with a stake at the highest level of government, with National Chairperson Gladys Wanga declaring that ODM has several leaders capable of serving as the President's running mate.
Wanga said the party would unite behind whoever it settles on to deputise Ruto, insisting ODM had no shortage of qualified candidates.
"ODM will support whoever among us the party nominates, whether it is Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Hassan Ali Joho, Simba Arati or even myself," she said.
Her remarks came as senior ODM figures defended the broad-based government arrangement, saying it has ended years of perceived marginalisation of the party's traditional strongholds in Nyanza and Western Kenya.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said the two regions were now enjoying tangible development projects under President Ruto's administration, making a compelling case for supporting his re-election in 2027.
According to Barasa, Western Kenya has witnessed increased investment in sports infrastructure, healthcare, roads and affordable housing, demonstrating that the region is finally receiving its fair share of national resources.
"In Kakamega we have Bukhungu Stadium and the Level VI Referral Hospital. There is also the Busia Stadium, whose feasibility study has already been completed, and the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma," he said.
Barasa argued that after consistently backing presidential candidates from other regions since 2007, Western Kenya should now begin positioning itself to produce the country's president after Ruto completes his constitutional two terms.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed echoed the sentiments, saying the broad-based government had ensured Nyanza and Western Kenya were no longer excluded from national development.
"The current government led by President Ruto has not sidelined our regions on matters of development, and it is very visible," Junet said.
The leaders' endorsement adds to growing support within sections of the ODM for continued cooperation with President Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election, even as debate continues over the future of the broad-based political arrangement.
In May, President Ruto urged Kenyans to remain calm ahead of the next General Election, saying the outcome of the 2027 contest would ultimately be determined by God.
The President assured the country that the elections would be peaceful, free and fair despite growing political tensions.
"Relax, what God has decided will happen," Ruto said.
"We will have elections, and they will be peaceful without violence, and they will be free and fair. Because what God has decided no man can change."
Ruto also dismissed speculation surrounding his re-election prospects, saying he would accept whichever outcome God determines.
"If He decides that I will get a second term, He will. If He decides otherwise, it's okay. Relax," the President said.
